Lionel Richie says his friend King Charles is 'doing fantastic': Singer, who performed at monarch's coronation concert, says Charles is 'doing well' but 'needs to sit still' as he continues his cancer treatment

Lionel Richie has revealed his friend King Charles III is 'doing fantastic' during his cancer treatment, after the monarch returned to public-facing duties this week.

The 74-year-old singer, who has been friends with the King since the 1980s after meeting through what was the Prince's Trust, also described Charles as 'doing well'.

The King, 75, has been having treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February, and on Tuesday he was out meeting the public with Queen Camilla  as they visited University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in London.

Speaking at the inaugural King's Trust Global Gala in New York last night, Richie told People: 'Happily I can say, he is doing fantastic. Again, I understand, he needs to sit still, you know what I'm saying. The most important part is he is doing well.

'He's back to his duties and so therefore, I wouldn't want the first thing for him to do is come over - let's not prove anything here.'

Richie also joked that he was expecting a phone call from the King after the event at Cipriani South Street, saying: 'Believe me, my question [from Charles] now is, 'How was it?' After I finish tonight, I'm gonna get that call saying, 'Well, how was it?'.'

The singer has met Charles at various charity events over the decades, and spoke about their friendship ahead of his performance in the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle in May last year.

Richie told the BBC at the time that he had 'known King Charles for a while', adding that they met when he was asked to sing at a Prince's Trust event at Wembley Arena.

He said: 'From that moment on we've been associated with giving back. I tell you something interesting. I'm from Alabama, he's from the Royal Family.

'The idea of the two of us being friends in any capacity other than just "hello, how are you", seems unusual. But when we met I found something about him. We have the same heart. He has an amazing heart and he wants to give so much back.

'I'm the same way. Believe it or not we're the same age. We have a little joke between the two of us, but he always says to me, Lionel, how do you look the way you look. And I said if you come to Hollywood, I can help you!'

Richie and his 34-year-old girlfriend Lisa Parigi were among a number of stars attending the King's Trust Global Gala in New York last night.

The singer wore a black velvet tuxedo with a bowtie and black dress shoes, and co-hosted the event with former British Vogue editor Edward Enninful.

Other celebrities at the star-studded event included Kate Moss, Charlotte Tilbury, Emily Ratajkowski, Sam Smith, John Legend, Dominic West and Katherine Jenkins. 

The gala aimed to raises awareness and funds for the King's Trust, a charity that helps young people with career development, education and building confidence.

Charles set up the Prince's Trust with his Navy severance pay in 1976, and it became the King's Trust in November last year in recognition of his accession to the throne.

Upon his return to public-facing duties on Tuesday, he spoke of his 'shock' at being diagnosed with cancer as he met fellow patients at the hospital.

Charles candidly described the experience of being told he had the disease when he visited the cancer centre, to learn about the latest treatments and chat to staff providing the pioneering care.

He also reassured those who asked about the state of his health, saying: 'I'm well.'

The King, who looked relaxed and in good spirits, was joined on the visit by Camilla, and went on impromptu walkabouts, meeting staff who had stopped to catch a glimpse of the royal couple.

Charles has been receiving treatment for cancer for three months, and last Friday it was announced he would be returning to public-facing duties.

Royal officials said his diary of forthcoming events will not be a full summer programme, and attendance will be announced nearer the time and 'subject to doctors' advice', with 'adaptations made where necessary to minimise risk' to the King's recovery.

It is understood the warmer weather would allow events to be staged outside and lessen the risk posed by other people that many cancer patients face.

Richie and model Miss Parigi have been dating since 2014, having met at a dinner party after being introduced by mutual friends.

The singer has previously been married twice - to Diane Alexander from 1995 until 2004, and Brenda Harvey from 1975 until 1993.

Richie shares daughter Sofia, 25, and son Miles, 29, with Ms Alexander. He and Miss Harvey share a daughter called Nicole, 42, whom they adopted in 1990.